The family in Nebraska rushed "Pocket" to the vet and found the arrow had likely struck vessels near his heart, hitting at least one vital organ. They euthanized him later that evening.

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Updated: 10:00 AM EST Nov 30, 2016

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WEBVTT
LEADER.
KETV NEWS WATCH SEVEN.
>> SOMEBODY SHOT THE FAMILY PET
WITH AN ARROW.
THE FAMILY WONDERS WHY AND WHO
DID IT.
>> THAT CAT HAD TO BE PUT DOWN.
THE SURGERY TOO EXPENSIVE AND
INJURIES TOO SEVERE.
>> IT HAPPENED SUNDAY ON KANSAS
EVERY.
WARNING THIS PHOTO INCLUDES A
PHOTO OF THE CAT WITH THE ARROW
IN IT.
IT IS GRAPHIC.
>> DAVID AND MELISSA SOMEBODY
IS HOPING SOMEBODY KNOWS OR SAW
SOMETHING.
THE NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY IS
STILL INVESTIGATING.
THEY SAY INCIDENTS LIKE THESE
ARE RAISE BUT WHEN THEY DO
HAPPEN THE ANIMAL USUALLY DOES
NOT SURVIVE AND THE PERSON
RESPONSIBLE USUALLY IS NOT
CAUGHT.
>> HOW CAN YOU SHOOT SOMEONE'S
CAT.
>> IT'S A QUESTION JENNY BARNEY
MAY NEVER GET ANSWERED, WHY SHE
HAD TO SAY GOOD BY TO HER PET OF
SIX YEARS AFTER HE CAME HOME
WITH AN ARROW.
>> I DIDN'T THINK -- I KNEW HE
WAS GOING TO DIE.
>> BARNEY SAID SHE LET HER
BROW TAB I POCKET OUT SUNDAY
NIGHT IN THE CROWN POINT
NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR NORTH 40 AND
KANSAS.
HE RETURNED LIKE USUAL THROUGH
THE CRACKED GARAGE DOOR.
>> YOU COULD HEAR HIM ME OWING
IN PAIN.
>> THEY RUSHED HIM TOTS VETS
AND IT HAD HIT AT LEAST ONE
VITAL ORGAN.
THE SURGERY WOULD CAN COSTS
$6,000 WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE
OF SURVIVAL.
>> WE COULDN'T AFFORD IT.
WE WERE HUG EXAMINING KISSING
HIM AND TELLING HIM IT WAS OKAY
AND WE LOVED HIM.
>> THE HUMANE SOCIETY SEES
CASES LIKE THIS ONE EVERY COUPLE
YEARS.
EVEN IF A CAT IS ON YOUR
PROPERTY, IT'S UNLAWFUL TO SHOOT
IT.
>> THERE WOULD BE A MISDEMEANOR
PHYSICAL BEAUS CHARGE PUNISHABLE
BY SIX MONTHS IN JAIL AND $5,000
FINE.
>> SOME PEOPLE THINK IT'S JUST
A CAT BUT IT'S NOT.
THAT'S SOMEONE'S FRIEND,
SOMEONE'S FAMILY.
>> IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION
THAT WOULD HELP INVESTIGATORS,

Family finds pet cat with arrow shot through it

The family in Nebraska rushed "Pocket" to the vet and found the arrow had likely struck vessels near his heart, hitting at least one vital organ. They euthanized him later that evening.

An Omaha family is seeking justice after their cat "Pocket" was shot through the abdomen with an arrow.

The cat's owner Jennie Barney says Pocket was let outside, and returned home a few hours later with what appeared to be a practice arrow through his body.

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“You could just hear him meowing in pain,” Barney said. “I started bawling instantly because I didn't think he was gonna make it, I knew he was gonna die.”

They rushed Pocket to the vet, where doctors told Barney the arrow had likely struck vessels near his heart, and hit at least one vital organ.

Surgery on his injuries would have cost thousands, with a 50 percent chance of survival.

"We just couldn't afford it," Barney said.

Later that evening, the family had Pocket euthanized.

“We were just hugging him and kissing him and telling him it was okay and we loved him,” Barney said.

The Nebraska Humane Society is investigating. They say incidents like these are rare -- but when they happen, the animal does not usually survive, and the person responsible is not usually caught.

Investigators say they see cases like this every couple of years, and warn that even if a cat is on your property, it is unlawful to shoot it.

“It would be a misdemeanor animal physical abuse charge, which is punishable by up to six months in jail or a $500 fine, or both,” says Kelli Brown, the Nebraska Humane Society’s director of field operations.